Alexander-Arnold played a combined total of 135 minutes at the Euros, but after being ignored by Gareth Southgate, they look set for crucial roles in Carsley’s new-look England and must be praying that he gets the job full-time.

Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold put in an impressive performance for England against Finland, dominating the game with his exceptional passing range and creativity. Here, he upped his game and his balls carved through Finland.

According to Opta Stats, Alexander-Arnold recorded a game-high 115 touches, attempting 94 passes and completing 82, including 18 passes into the final third.

He created five chances, more than anyone else, and was partly responsible for both goals, directly assisting Kane for the first then playing a defence-splitting curling pass towards Noni Madueke before it found its way to Kane.

Notably, Alexander-Arnold’s 5 chances marking the third time since 2019 that he has created 5+ chances in a game for England. This achievement is a testament to his unique ability to control the tempo of the game and unlock defenses.

Even though he has found his true place in the team under Carsley, Alexander-Arnold’s creative burst for England is nothing new: this was the third occasion in which he had created five or more chances in a game for the Three Lions, with no one else having done that for the national team since his debut.

Kyle Walker spoke of his disappointment at being left out of the England squad, but now he faces a real battle to get back in. Alexander-Arnold offers so much more than him in attack and is nine years his junior.

Walker’s defensive protection kept him in Southgate’s good graces, but Carsley appears to be less appreciative of Walker’s skill set—he is significantly more inclined than Walker to remove the handbrake.

Walker hasn’t played much for Manchester City this season, according to Carsley, but even if he goes back to his regular role for the team, his exclusion from the England squad might become permanent.

Walker has other worries besides Alexander-Arnold, as Rico Lewis—who replaced him in the City squad at the beginning of the season—made a strong play on the opposite flank. In the unlikely event that his Liverpool counterpart is hurt, the 19-year-old would make a good backup on the right side of defense.